End of Year Keepsake

I can't guarantee this is an easy end of the year project BUT I can guarantee that your kids will love it

Hands down!

{Pun intended}

It's our first grade tradition to make an end of the year pillowcase keepsake.

I start off by sending home a note for each student to bring back a white, new, clean pillowcase.

(The clean part is most important!)

{Click picture to download}

Just in case, I take load them up (literally) into my washer to make sure they are all clean.

If you have parents who love to volunteer their time to help, this is definitely a helping activity!

I purchase these transfers. I found them at Wal-Mart.

On these, I print the poem below.

{Click on the words to download the printable poem}

"Now I lay me down to sleep. I'll count these hands instead of sheep and remember all the friends I've made in Mrs. _____________ first grade."

Talk about precious.

I honestly have not ever ironed on a transfer to a pillowcase.

(This is where mom help comes in)

I send them home for a mom to iron on and she returns them.

Next step, painting day.

***IMPORTANT: You must mix the paint with a textile medium in order for the paint to stick and not wash off. We mix the two together in bowls.

We lay out each pillowcase and put wax paper inside.

This prevents the paint from bleeding through.

19 kids.

19 hand print on each pillowcase.

You do the math.

(See why you need moms?)

After drying, students walk around and sign their names with a sharpie.

That evening I take the pillowcases home:

Roll them up

Tie with ribbon and add a cute nametag. 

{Click picture to download}

During our awards ceremony, I pass them out as they take on the look of a wrapped up diploma.

So long first grade!